15,000 Gathered for 'Minjung General Strike' Forced in Yeouido... Police Begin Investigation of Organizers and Participants

Repeated Large-Scale Protests with Sudden Gatherings in Downtown Seoul

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] Despite the Seoul Metropolitan Government and police's notice prohibiting the assembly, a mass rally of 15,000 people was forcibly held at Yeouido Park in Seoul on the 15th, prompting the police to launch an investigation.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Illegal Protest Investigation Headquarters announced that "an investigation has been initiated against the organizers and key participants who forcibly held the large-scale illegal assembly on charges of violating the Assembly and Demonstration Act and the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act."

The police emphasized, "We will immediately issue summonses to the organizers responsible for the illegal acts, and strictly investigate organizers and key participants who were repeatedly involved in large-scale illegal protests in the downtown area last year."

The National People's Action, composed of progressive organizations such as the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), the Progressive Party, and the National Peasants' Federation, suddenly gathered at Yeouido Park at 2 p.m. on the same day to hold the "2022 People's General Rally."

The KCTU had also forcibly held large-scale rallies several times in downtown Seoul last year, including the National Workers' Rally in July, the General Strike Rally in October, and the National Workers' Rally in November. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency formed an Illegal Protest Investigation Headquarters consisting of police stations in charge of the assembly areas and began investigating key participants and organizers.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.